Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment of different fungal species on nutrient utilisation and rumen fermentation in adult sheep. Four total mixed rations containing watermelon straw (WMS) treated with Pleurotus columbinus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium oxalicum or untreated were prepared. Three Barki female sheep fitted with permanent rumen fistula were used to estimate rumen fermentation and fiber fraction degradation in rumen. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in digestibility of DM, OM, CF and CP in animals fed rations containing fungal treated WMS based rations over the control group. The nutritive value (%TDN and %DCP in the ration) was higher (P<0.05) in groups fed fungal treated rations. The pH values and ammonia nitrogen concentration were similar in all the groups. The values of rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration ranged from 13.87 to 14.50 mg/dL. The TVFA concentartion and microbial protein synthesis was higher (P<0.05) in sheep fed fungal treated WMS based rations as compared to control group. Furthermore, fungal treatment showed a positive effect on the degradation of the fiber fraction of cellulose or hemicellulose. WMS treated with Penicillium oxalicum and Pleurotus columbinus had the highest cellulose degradability while the ability of A. niger was higher for hemicellulose degradation.
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